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ORATION. 
By  Hon.  JOHN    W.  A.  SANFORD,  LL.DV 

O^  MONTGOMERY,    ALA. 


THE 


AN   OKATION 
Delivered  Before  the  Erosophic  and  Philomathio  Societies 


OF 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  ALABAMA, 


AT 


BY  HON.  JOHN  W.  A.  SANFOBD,  LL.D., 

OF   MONTGOMERY. 


MONTGOMERY.  ALA.  : 

JAS.  P.  ARMSTRONG,  BOOK   AND  JOB   PRINTER, 
1878. 


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Annex 

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TUSKALOOSA,  ALA.,  Nov.  10th,  1878. 
Dear  Sir: 

The  Literary  Societies  of  the  University, 
appreciating  the  eloquence  and  high  literary  char- 
acter of  the  anniversary  address  delivered  by  you 
during  the  last  Commencement,  and  desiring  to  preserve 
it  in  some  more  tangible  form  than  the  frail  rec- 
ord of  their  memories,  have  appointed  the  under- 
signed a  committee  to  solicit  from  you  a  copy  of 
that  address  for  publication.  Your  compliance  with 
this  request  will  be  very  gratifying  to  the  members 
of  these  Societies.  Hoping  for  an  early  and  favor- 
able response,  we  are, 

Very  respectfully,   yours, 

TENNENT  LOMAX, 
E.  E.  SPRAGGINS, 
JAS.  H.  LITTLE, 

Committee  from  Erosophic  Society. 

CHAPPELL  CORY, 
CHAS.  E.  McCALL, 

Committee  from  Philomathic  Society  . 
HON.  JNO.  W.  A.  SANFORD, 
Montgomery,  Ala. 


MONTGOMERY,  ALA.,  Nov.  16th,  1878. 
Gentlemen : 

1   have  received  your  note   of  the   10th. 
inst.,   requesting  for    publication  a  copy  of   the  ad- 
dress I   had  the   honor  to  deliver  before  the   Liter- 
ary  Societies  of  the  University   of  Alabama   on   the 
first  day  of  last  July. 

Thanking   you  for    the    kind    manner    in    which 

you  have  made   known   the  wishes  of  the  Societies ; 

and     regretting     that     the    address    was    not    more 

worthy  of  the  occasion,   I  transmit  to  you  a  copy. 

Yours,   very  respectfully, 

JOHN  W.  A.  SANFORD. 

Messrs.  TENNENT  LOMAX,  R.  E.  SPRAGGINS,  JAS.  H.  LITTLE, 
Committee  from  Erosophic  Society  ;  and  Messrs.  OHAPPELIJ 
OOKY,  CHAS.  R.  MCCAIN,  Committee  from  Philomathic  So- 
ciety, Tuscaloosa,  Ala. 


Gentlemen  of  the  Erosophic  and,  Philomathic  Societies  : 

During  the  reign  of  Marcus  Aurelius  Antoninus,  the 
wisest  man  that  ever  sat  upon  the  throne  of  the  Impe- 
rial Cyesars,  an  insurrection  was  fomented  by  Avidius 
Cassius,  a  descendant  of  the  conspirator  against  the 
great  Dictator.  Although  he  was  the  commander-in- 
chief  of  the  Oriental  army  stationed  at  Antioch,  he  was 
narrow-minded,  fanatical,  visionary,  cruel  and  rigid  in 
his  discipline.  He  was  morose,  and  devoid  of  sympathy 
with  the  aims,  and  tastes,  and  pleasures  of  the  world. 
Consequently,  he  resolved  that  the  soldiers  subject  to 
his  authority  should  not  enjoy  the  luxuries  and  delights 
that  appeared  on  the  thoroughfares,  and  haunted  the 
groves,  and  lurked  near  the  temples  of  "  Daphne  by 
Orontes,"  which  was  proverbial  for  all  the  allure- 
ments that  could  captivate  the  senses.  For  there,  amid 
numberless  kinds  and  forms  of  voluptuousness,  the  fire- 
eyed  daughters  of  the  Sun,  with  mystical  songs  and 
magical  rites,  wove  charms  and  snares  for  the  fame  and 
souls  of  men.  In  the  execution  of  this  purpose,  the 
ferocious  general  decapitated  some,  and  amputated  the 
arms,  and  hands,  and  feet  of  others,  in  order  that  the 
horrible  spectacles  might  deter  their  comrades  from  any 
act  ot  disobedience.  He  hoped  by  this  conduct  to  ob- 
tain such  complete  mastery  over  his  legions,  that  they 
would  follow  him  without  hesitation  in  the  unwise  and 
impracticable  enterprise  of  dethroning  the  Emperor  and 
re-establishing  the  Republic  of  Eome. 

His  movements  were  observed  by  Lucius  Verus,  the 
colleague  of  Antoninus,  who  wrote  to  him,  saying:  "I 
would  you  had  him  closely  watched.  For  he  is  a  great 
disliker  of  our  doings:  he  is  gathering  an  enormous 
treasure,  and  he  makes  an  open  jest  of  our  literary  pur- 


suits.  You,  for  instance,  he  calls  a  philosophizing  old 
woman  ;  and  me,  a  dissolute  buffoon  and  scamp."  And 
Cassius,  himselt,  afterwards  wrote:  "Marcus  Antoninus 
is  a  scholar ;  he  enacts  the  philosopher ;  he  tries  conclu- 
clusions  upon  the  four  elements,  and  upon  the  nature  of 
the  soul;  he  discourses  lean  iedly  upon  the  1 1  outturn; 
and  concerning  the  titiniiniun  Ilonian  he  is  unanswera- 
ble. Meanwhile,  is  he  learned  in  the  interests  of  the 
state  ?  Can  he  argue  a  point  upon  the  economies  of 
the  state  f  In  this  manner  he  attempted  to  justify  his 
rebellion,  and  to  vilify  and  bring  into  contempt  the  great 
ruler,  whose  statesmanship  was  no  less  remarkable  than 
his  philosophy.  He  failed  in  his  undertaking,  but  paid 
the  debt  his  folly  owed  to  Justice. 

I  have  narrated  this  incident  to  show  that  in  high 
places,  and  among  persons  in  authority,  is  often  found  a 
stupid,  irrational  prejudice  against  literature,  and  philos- 
ophy, and  scholarship,  and  men  of  letters ;  and  that  in 
all  civilizations  will  be  observed  individuals  hard,  nar- 
row, small-knowing,  churlish,  and  self-conceited,  who  in 
their  murky  ignorance  are  prone  and  prompt  to  sneer  at 
and  condemn  all  culture,  and  every  pursuit  that  liberal- 
izes our  nature  and  lifts  humanity  into  a  higher  sphere 
of  existence. 

This  unavowed  but  absolute  hostility  to  the  large  cul- 
tivation and  refinement  demanded  by  advancing  civiliza- 
tion ;  this  condition  that  has  neither  a  yesterday  nor  a 
to-morrow,  and  which  uses  to-day  merely  to  gaze  into  the 
dust  with  the  expectation  of  finding  a  few  barley-corns, 
the  thinkers  of  Germany  and  England  term  Philistin- 
ism. And  those  who  are  actuated  by  this  sentiment ; 
who  wallow  in  the  "gross  inud-honey  of  the  town"; 
who  are  averse  from  every  literary  and  aesthetic  pursuit ; 
and  who  are  willingly  inaccessible  to  all  ideas  uncon- 


nected  with  the  bread  aud  butter  sciences,  are  properly 
named  Philstines.  And,  verily,  the  thorough-paced 
Philistine  deserves  your  commiseration.  For  him,  the 
world  is  toil,  and  vexation,  and  vanity,  and  dreariness. 
For  him,  neither  the  flowers  bloom,  nor  birds  sing,  nor 
fountains  glisten.  His  life  differs  from  the  gray  cloud 
that  coils  and  dies  upon  the  hills,  only  in  this,  that  no 
fold  of  it  is  ever  touched  by  the  sunbeams.  He  belongs 
to  a  large  and  widely-scattered  tribe,  which  drifts  togeth- 
er in  some  places  in  formidable  numbers.  But  as  Tusca- 
loosa  is  not  Gath ;  and  as  I  do  not  stand  in  the  headquar- 
ters of  Goliath,  I  purpose  to  speak  of  LITERATURE,  AND 
ITS  INFLUENCE  UPON  THE  CHARACTER  OF  A  PEOPLE. 
I  do  so  the  more  willingly,  because  among  us  scholar- 
ship is  not  fully  appreciated ;  the  character  of  literary 
men  is  misunderstood ;  and  their  usefulness  and  power 
are  greatly  misapprehended  and  underrated. 

The  Philistinism  to  which  I  have  referred,  is  not  con- 
fined to  the  wholly  uneducated  portion  of  our  country- 
men. It  is  perceived  among  the  indolent,  the  thought- 
less, and,  shall  I  say,  illiterate  men  who  are  engaged  in 
the  professions,  as  well  as  in  other  classes  that  pretend 
to  be  intelligent.  Having  no  ambition,  or  despairing  of 
excellence  in  the  higher  departments  of  knowledge  and 
culture,  they  jeer  at,  or  damn  with  faint  praise,  those 
members  of  the  community  whose  tastes  and  talents, 
and  the  fortunate  accidents  of  whose  lives,  have  enabled 
them  to  obtain  a  thorough  education ;  and  whose  attain- 
ments are,  in  some  degree,  commensurate  with  their 
opportunities.  These  sneerers  conduct  themselves  as  if 
the  knowledge  of  any  truth  or  principle  outside  of  their 
peculiar  trade,  or  business,  or  profession,  were  despica- 
ble :  they  act  as  if  the  tacts  and  ideas  gathered  from  any 
province  of  intellect,  and  the  activity  of  the  brain  in- 


8 

duced  by  familiarity  with  exalted  themes  of  thought, 
did  not  bestow  large  powers,  and  impart  skill  and  finer 
tact  with  which  to  direct  and  control  the  common  affairs 
of  sorirt\.  Such  persons  sometimes  talk  as  if  they 
were  ignorant  that  tlic  civilization  we  enjoy  ;  the  bless- 
ings of  good  government;  the  domination  of  law;  the 
suppression  of  wrong;  the  supremacy  of  justice  ;  the 
reverence  for  Religion  and  her  ministers;  and  even  the 
material  comforts  derived  from  mechanical  inventions 
and  contrivances,  were  the  results  of  thought; — as  if 
they  did  not  know  that  these  are  the  fruits  of  the  re- 
corded labors  of  the  wisest  men  in  all  the  fields  of 
Literature. 

This  indifference  to  cultivation  does  not  arise  alto- 
gether from  deficiency  of  talents,  or  from  the  want  of 
those  qualities  which  perceive  and  appreciate  its  impor- 
tance and  beauty.  It  may  be  attributed  to  the  circum- 
stances which  surround  us,  and  which  in  some  measure 
control  our  actions.  Here,  the  chase,  unparalleled  in  its 
energy,  for  the  means  of  livelihood,  seems  to  prevent 
the  pursuit  of  letters  and  arts  that  adorn  and  glorify 
communities.  But  this  submission  to  the  pressure  ot 
the  external  world,  and  ready  obedience  to  present  ne- 
cessities, are  not  peculiar  to  us.  For  history  teaches 
that  the  early  years  of  every  nation  are  occupied  by 
war,  or  by  efforts  to  supply  the  simplest  wants :  but  in 
process  of  time  agriculture  employs  its  industry;  com- 
merce attracts  its  attention  and  stimulates  its  avarice  ; 
and  finally,  Art,  Science  and  Literature  commemorate 
the  achievements  of  its  arms,  mollify  the  exercise  of  its 
authority,  and  embellish  the  acquisitions  of  its  enter- 
prise. But  this  general  law  of  development  has  never 
operated  with  its  full  force  upon  the  people  of  the  United 
States.  Their  ancestors  were  ignorant  neither  of  laws, 


9 

nor  of  policy,  nor  of  literature ;  nor  were  they  deficient 
in  the  refinement  of  their  era.  The  difficulties  encoun- 
tered and  hardships  endured  by  the  first  immigrants 
were  such  as  attend  all  pioneers.  These  obstacles,  which 
necessarily  retarded  the  growth  of  literature  and  dimin- 
ished somedeal  the  love  of  learning,  have  been  removed. 
And  in  the  older  States,  the  increase  of  population  ;  the 
division  of  labor ;  the  amassment  of  riches ;  the  fre- 
quent intercourse  and  intimate  connection  with  Europe, 
have  supplied  the  educational  deficiency  observable  in 
the  early  days  of  the  Eepublic,  and  still  noticeable  in 
the  younger  members  of  the  Union. 

Although  these  impediments  have  disappeared  from 
many  of  the  Southern  States,  they  have  not  attained 
the  rank  to  which  the  virtues,  the  endowments  and  in- 
dustry of  their  citizens  entitle  them.  Full  of  life  and 
energy,  they  delight  in  action  more  than  in  contempla- 
tion. Impatient  of  restraint,  and  ambitious  of  excellence, 
they  are  too  eager  to  seize  the  success  that  crowns  the 
passing  hour,  to  wait  for  the  gradual  unfolding  of  their 
powers,  which  would  achieve  more  splendid  triumphs 
and  obtain  more  magnificent  trophies.  Everywhere,  the 
effects  of  haste,  of  passion,  of  excitement,  are  visible. 
These  impress  themselves  upon  many  of  their  under- 
takings. Lord  Burleigh's  favorite  maxim,  "Stay  a  little 
that  we  may  make  an  end  the  sooner,"  they  utterly  ig- 
nore, and  do  everything  hurriedly  to-day,  with  the  prom- 
ise of  doing  it  much  better  to-morrow.  Hence,  it  is  not 
surprising  that  literary  studies,  whose  rewards  come  so 
slowly,  if  they  come  at  all  in  proportion  to  the  labor 
bestowed,  should  be  but  little  patronized  by  them ;  or 
that  such  students  and  authors  should  not  be  rightly 
-esteemed. 

In  their  eagerness  to  do,  they  overlook  or  disregard 


10 

the  fact  that  correct  action  naturally  proceeds  from  cor- 
rect thought;  and  that  this  is  the  product  of  the  full 
development  and  education  of  all  the  abilities  that  dis- 
tinguish the  race.  Indeed,  the  practical  man  of  the 
most  signal  success  in  any  vocation  always  possesses  the 
most  accurate  powers  of  reason,  and  all  the  knowledge 
which  can  be  brought  to  shed  its  light  and  blessings 
upon  what  enlists  his  feelings,  or  employs  his  intellect. 
When  the  philosopher,  Thales,  was  taunted  with  the  in- 
utility  ot  his  philosophy,  as  some  are  reproached  now 
for  their  bookish  ness  and  devotion  to  literature,  he  re- 
solved to  apply  himself  to  trade,  and  soon  became  the 
wealthiest  citizen  of  Miletus.  The  knowledge  of  the 
laws  of  commerce,  and  the  mental  power  acquired  by 
his  literary  and  philosophical  pursuits,  were  available  in 
his  new  occupation.  These  brought  him  boundless 
prosperity.  Nor  was  this  result  wonderful.  His  success 
was  in  accordance  with  the  law  that  subordinates  all 
things  to  mind. 

Whether  this  power  be  inherent  in  the  brain,  or  is  the 
result  of  the  whole  constitution  of  man,  or  is,  like  elec- 
tricity, a  free,  grand  force  of  Nature,  which  manifests 
itself  through  human  organs  as  its  fittest  apparatus,  it 
is  certain  that  its  laws  and  operations  have  long  been 
interesting  topics  of  discussion.  Its  exhibitions  are 
greatly  affected  by  race,  and  are  seriously  modified  by 
external  conditions.  The  topography  of  a  country :  its 
mountains ;  its  plains  and  water-courses ;  the  fertility 
of  its  soil ;  the  abundance  and  variety  of  its  vegetable 
productions  ;  its  inaccessibility,  or  patency  to  intercourse 
with  foreign  nations ;  the  neighborhood  of  the  sun  ;  the 
proximity  of  the  sea,  all  have  a  positive  influence  upon 
the  industry  and  industrialisms,  the  character  and  civili- 
zation of  the  people.  A  similarity  of  locality  has  been 


attended  by  a  similarity  of  results.  In  tbe  early  ages  ot 
the  world,  seclusion  appears  to  have  conduced  to  the 
moral,  religious,  and  intellectual  advancement,  both  of 
the  individual  and  the  community.  It  is  immaterial 
whether  this  isolation  was  the  effect  of  natural  or  arti- 
ficial causes.  The  Chinese,  by  the  coustruction  of  a  wall, 
occluded  themselves  from  maukind,  aud  produced  a  civ- 
ilization remarkable  for  its  ethical  code,  its  religious 
system,  and  a  polity  which,  says  Voltaire,  made  "the 
wisest  empire  in  the  universe."  In  America,  by  the 
shores  of  Titicaca,  a  sealed  lake,  the  Peruvians,  gov- 
erned by  the  Incas,  attained  their  highest  civilization. 
It  was  in  such  a  secluded  basin  in  Mexico  that  the 
Aztecs  achieved  a  refinement  that  surpassed  all  other 
nations  on  this  continent.  But  notwithstanding  the 
variety  of  circumstances  favorable  or  unfavorable  to 
mental  phenomena,  all  intellect  is  one  in  its  essence. 
The  divers  civilizations  that  have  existed,  and  which 
still  exist,  are  its  expressions  as  aifected  by  the  facts  I 
have  mentioned.  These  become  a  power  that  exerts  an 
immeasurable  influence  on  its  subsequent  growth. — 
Nothing  magnifies  and  activates  intellect  so  much  as 
thought.  Consequently,  Literature,  which  is  a  conti- 
nent of  ideas,  truths  and  principles  that  move  in  the 
higher  latitudes  of  being,  or  dwell  habitually  on  the 
heights  of  the  soul,  is  its  chief  auxiliary.  For  its  struc- 
ture is  such  that  only  these  can  stimulate  and  influence 
its  action.  Sensations,  passions,  or  emotions,  are  pow- 
erless to  affect  human  conduct  until  they  have  been  an- 
alyzed and  considered  in  their  nature  and  tendencies. 
This  operation  is  performed  in  every  voluntary  move- 
ment, but  often  so  rapidly  as  to  escape  consciousness. 
But  the  process  by  which  externalities  become  ideas, 
and  transient  events  fix  themselves  in  the  opinions  of 
philosophy,  in  the  business  of  life,  or  in  the  institutions 


12 

of  a  country,  cannot  be  too  carefully  scrutinised.  To 
do  this  effectually,  the  diligent  and  critical  study  of  the 
writings  of  great  authors  is  absolutely  necessary.  Some 
of  them  treat  of  the  laws  of  intellect,  and  the  condi- 
tions of  their  operation.  They  t-ach  the  method  accord- 
ing to  which  the  perceptions  of  the  senses  are  transmu- 
ted into  ideas ;  and  often  contain  suggestions  as  to  the 
mode  in  which  the  faculties  may  be  exerted  so  as  to 
yield  the  largest  benefits.  They  impart  not  only  inform- 
ation, but  also  bestow  positive  power. 

As  Literature  includes  within  its  ample  limits  such 
productions,  no  unfounded  suspicion  that  its  votaries  are 
visionaries;  no  taunts  upon  the  employment  of  scholars, 
and  their  apparent  idleness ;  no  gibes  upon  the  pedantry 
or  bookishness  of  the  educated;  no  detraction  from  the 
merit  of  literary  men,  can  justify  its  neglect.  It  is  true, 
however,  as  Jeremy  Taylor  has  well  remarked:  "Too 
many  scholars  have  lived  upon  air  and  empty  notions 
for  many  ages  past,  and  troubled  themselves  with  tying 
and  untying  knots,  like  hypochondriacs  in  a  fit  of  mel- 
ancboty,  thinking  of  nothing,  and  troubling  themselves 
with  nothing,  and  falling  out  about  nothing,  and  being 
vc  ry  wise  and  very  learned  in  things  that  are  not,  and 
work  not,  and  were  never  planted  in  Paradise  by  the 
finger  of  God."  By  literature,  I  do  not  mean  the 
works  of  such  persons,  or  the  balderdash  of  some  popu- 
lar periodicals ;  or  the  ephemeral  performances  of  those 
writers  whose  absurd  social  theories  stir  the  passions 
and  perplex  the  judgment  of  the  multitude.  Under 
such  tuition,  the  barbarians  of  the  nineteenth  century 
become  as  ferocious  as  J;he  barbarians  of  former  ages. 
The  Communists  of  Paris,  led  by  Rochfort,  Blanqui  and 
Raoul  Rigault,  were  as  cruel,  as  blood-thirsty,  and  as 
terrible  as  the  Huns  of  Attila,  or  the  Vandals  of 
Genseric. 


13 

But  by  literature,  I  mean  the  productions  of  the 
grand  old  masters  of  our  own  language,  and  of  other 
tongues ;  the  labors  of  those  immortal  geniuses  of  all 
ages,  who,  by  virtue  of  their  performances,  are  citizens 
of  all  countries,  and  the  contemporaries  of  every  gen- 
eration :  by  it,  I  mean  such  books  as  Milton  so  admi- 
rably describes,  in  his  Areopagitica,  as  "  containing  the 
precious  life-blood  of  a  master  spirit,  embalmed  and 
treasured  up  on  purpose  to  a  life  beyond  life";  books 
that  record  the  reflections  and  experience  of  men  whose 
exploits  and  opinions  have  affected  the  destiny  of  the 
world  ;  books  that  contain  exalted  principles,  from  whose 
summits  can  be  viewed  the  Future,  with  its  tremendous 
forces  still  in  reserve,  stretching  out  like  a  landscape  be- 
fore you ;  books  that,  replete  with  truth,  teach  the  art 
of  life,  and,  full  of  noble  examples  of  wisdom,  of  virtue, 
of  courage,  of  fortitude,  of  patriotism,  and  Christian 
charity,  invigorate  the  intellect  and  improve  the  charac- 
ter. In  such  volumes  are  thoughts,  whence  have  orig- 
inated systems  of  philosophy  and  new  sciences;  thoughts 
which  have  been  the  germs  of  religious  creeds,  and  the 
causes  of  civil  revolutions;  thoughts  that,  sown  broad- 
cast over  the  earth,  like  dragon's  teeth  have  sprung  up 
armed  men. 

Such  literature  is  the  perfect  psychological  history  of 
Humanity.  It  is  the  expression  of  passion  and  thought 
in  all  conceivable  conditions,  and  in  every  stage  of  de- 
velopment. Indeed,  it  performs  the  three-fold  function 
of  recording  the  advancement  of  society;  of  being  evi- 
dence of  the  fact,  and  of  promoting  its  further  progress. 
It  quickens  the  intellect,  and  increases  its  actual  power. 
It  not  only  imparts  knowledge,  but,  arousing  the  ener- . 
gies  of  the  mind,  causes  it  to  excogitate  ideas,  which 
become  institutions  about  which  new  policies  are  sug- 


gested  and  laws  enacted,  that,  in  turn,  produce  other 
ideas,  and  found  still  newer  establishments.  Literary 
culture  enhances  the  prosperity  of  a  people.  It  gives 
rise  to  new  inventions  and  discoveries.  It  enables  men 
to  overcome  the  physical  elements,  and  make  them  the 
vassals  of  their  will  and  the  instruments  of  their  succe->. 
It  creates  tastes  that  demand  gratification,  and  straight- 
way a  new  department  of  labor  is  opened,  which,  afford- 
ing employment  to  many,  contributes  to  the  welfare  of 
all.  And  in  a  refined  society,  Literature,  itself,  becomes 
a  vocation,  which  engages  the  attention  of  gifted  and 
aspiring  men,  and  renders  them  useful  to  their  country. 
The  kingdom  of  Denmark,  knowing  the  value  and  im- 
portance of  such  characters,  for  many  years  has  granted 
a  stipend  to  its  artists  and  scholars,  to  enable  them  to 
travel  in  foreign  lands  and  perfect  themselves  in  all  the 
learning  and  accomplishments  of  the  times.  It  recog- 
nizes the  truth,  that  those  ancient  nations  that  did 
not  honor  intellect,  but  despised  all  mental  pursuits,  are 
the  anonymous  part  ot  mankind.  They  are  remem- 
bered by  no  wise  system  of  morals,  politics,  or  religion; 
by  no  creations  of  art ;  by  no  discoveries  in  science  ;  \>y 
no  ingenious  inventions ;  by  no  enduring  monument  of 
useful  or  well-directed  industry.  They  ignored  the  Sun, 
and  labored  and  moved  by  the  light  of  the  stars.  They 
were  born  only  that  they  might  be  able  to  die. 

But  the  cultivation  of  Literature  has  als,o  a  conserva- 
tive power.  It  perpetuates  the  origin  and  achievements 
of  a  people.  It  repeats  the  legends  of  their  ancestors, 
and  incites  them  to  the  imitation  of  applauded  acts  and 
virtues.  It  tells  the  source  and  mutations  of  their  re- 
ligious creeds  and  dogmas  of  philosophy.  It  sings  in 
musical  numbers  the  triumphs  of  faith  and  the  deeds  of 
valor.  It  consecrates,  by  its  eloquence,  the  memory  of 


15 

those  who  died  on  the  scaffold,  or  in  the  battle's  van  in 
the  discharge  of  duty,  or  in  vindication  of  truth,  and 
inspires  a  reverence  for  the  past  and  an  aversion  from 
change.  *  The  immutability  of  the  Jews  may  be  ascribed 
to  the  Talmud.  It  has  been  the  bond  of  their  union ; 
the  fount  of  their  morality  ;  the  source  of  their  enlight- 
enment, and  their  shining  glory.  The  Iliad  of  Homer 
preserved  the  nationality  of  the  Greeks  long  after  the 
jarring  interests  of  the  states,  and  the  rivalries  of  am- 
bitious leaders,  had  destroyed  the  sympathies  which  first 
attracted  and  bound  them  together.  But  this  conserva- 
tism is  by  no  means  stagnation.  It  is  not  at  all  antag- 
onistic to  rational  advancement.  The  persons,  or  peo- 
ple, addicted  to  literature,  follow  the  example  of  time 
itself,  which,  Lord  Bacon  says,  "indeed  innovateth 
greatly,  but  by  degrees  scarce  to  be  perceived."  They 
do  not  subvert  approved  institutions  for  slight  causes. 
No  temporary  inconvenience,  arising  from  mal-adminis- 
tration  of  the  government,  can  induce  them  to  conspire 
for  its  overthrow.  They  follow  the  convictions  of  reason, 
and  are  submissive  to  the  dictation  of  ideas.  When  a 
cluster  of  thoughts,  or  principles,  appears  in  the  firma- 
ment of  mind,  like  a  new  constellation  in  the  heavens, 
and  they  yield  it  their  homage,  none  are  more  progress- 
ive, and,  if  necessary,  more  revolutionary,  in  their  con- 
duct. Indeed,  while  insurrections,  proceeding  from 
passion  or  transient  discontent,  are  often  led  by  sciolists 
or  illiterate  persons,  such  as  Spartacus,  of  Rome,  Wat 
Tyler,  of  England,  Massauiello,  of  Naples,  Eaoul  Ei- 
gault,  the  Communist,  of  Paris,  or  All  Suavi,  recently 
in  Constantinople ;  great  revolutions,  which  overthrow 
old  governments,  permanently  establish  new  ones,  and 
change  the  course  of  history,  are  always  begun,  or  con- 
ducted, by  learned  and  accomplished  men,  in  accordance 
with  some  beneficent  principle. 


16 

The  vigor  imparted  by  Literature  gives  the  aims  of 
life  a  higher  elevation,  and  promotes  morality.  The 
productions  of  some  authors  were  considered  by  Melanc- 
thon  to  be  scarcely  inferior  in  usefulness  and  authority 
to  the  Scriptures.  In  commenting  on  the  heresies  of 
his  age,  he  uses  these  memorable  words:  "Wherefore, 
our  decision  is  this:  that  those  precepts  which  learned 
men  have  committed  to  writing,  transcribing  them  from 
the  common  reason  and  common  feeling  of  human  na- 
ture, are  to  be  accounted  as  not  less  divine  than  those 
contained  in  the  table  given  to  Moses ;  and  that  it  could 
not  be  the  intention  of  our  Maker  to  supersede,  by  a  law 
graven  on  stone,  that  which  is  written  with  his  own 
finger  upon  the  table  of  the  heart."  Few,  perhaps,  will 
agree  with  the  great  reformer  in  his  estimate  of  Litera- 
ture, but  none  will  deny  that  it  mollifies  manners,  broad- 
ens the  sympathies,  and  makes  the  sad  vicissitudes  of 
fortune  more  tolerable.  Under  its  benign  sway,  the 
passions  are  subdued;  vice  diminishes;  the  "bandit 
propensities  skulk  away  to  their  dens,"  and  crimes  are 
less  frequent.  These  effects  are  so  universally  recog- 
nized, that  there  are  laws  in  Iceland  and  China  which 
require  the  parents  of  a  youthful  criminal  to  be  sought, 
and  if,  upon  inquiry,  it  is  ascertained  that  they  neglected 
the  education  of  their  child,  the  offender  is  discharged, 
and  they  suffer  the  penalty  of  the  offence.  The  ameli- 
orating influences  of  Literature  upon  a  country  make 
the  prizes  of  society  of  more  difficult  acquisition.  The 
depraved  and  ignorant  are  almost  powerless;  while 
those  who  have  integrity,  fidelity  to  principle,  and  tal- 
ents improved  by  culture,  have  authority  and  control 
over  public  opinion  equal  to  their  merits ;  and  opinion 
governs  the  world. 

The   development  of  mind ;  the  support  of  virtue ; 


17. 

obedience  to  law,  and  reverence  for  religion,  contribute 
largely  to  social  prosperity.  These  preserve  the  domes- 
tic tranquillity  of  the  State,  and  afford  protection 
against  its  foreign  foes.  For  it  is  remarkable  that,  in 
war,  all  other  things  being  equal,  the  nation  which  is 
endowed  with  the  largest  intellectual  gifts ;  or  has  the 
highest  civilization;  or  moves  in  accordance  with  the 
noblest  principle  ot  action,  or  some  freshly  recognized 
truth  that  forms  the  basis  of  a  new  era,  is  the  most  suc- 
cessful. It  is  not  denied  that  barbarians  have  over-run 
enlightened  countries,  but  this  has  happened  only  when 
their  civilization  was  effete.  Under  such  a  condition, 
they  may  have  succumbed  to  savage  hordes  enthusiastic- 
ally devoted  to  some  idea,  whose  broad  significance 
they  may  not  have  comprehended.  But,  even  in  such  a 
calamity,  the  nation  thoroughly  enlightened  is  not  anni- 
hilated. The  opinions  of  its  sages,  the  writings  of  its 
men  of  genius,  and  the  traditions  of  its  policy,  will  still 
survive.  Its  institutions,  even  in  ruin,  will  cast  long 
shadows  over  the  rolling  centuries ;  and  other  countries 
and  distant  ages  will  profit  by  the  instruction  of  its 
philosophers.  The  scholar  of  to-day  reads  with  delight 
the  history  of  Thucydides,  the  dramas  of  JEschylus,  the 
poems  of  Homer,  and  the  songs  of  Anacreon.  The 
doctrines  of  Plato  and  Aristotle  have  dominion  and 
rule  an  empire  more  glorious  than  Athens  did,  when  she 
was  the  brilliant  mistress  of  a  thousand  tributaries,  and 
at  once,  the  envy  and  the  admiration  of  the  world. 

Literature  has  been  termed  the  "school-mistress  of 
nations."  and,  like  that  admirable  character,  it  preserves 
good  order  and  peace  among  its  pupils.  It  teaches  a 
generous  philanthropy.  It  shows  that,  whatever  may 
be  the  difference  of  intellectual  development  among  dif- 
ferent peoples,  their  faculties  are  the  same,  and  vary 


18 

only  in  degree;  that  Humanity,  comprising  such  dis- 
similar elements,  is  a  unit,  and  exhibits,  under  like  con- 
ditions, the  same  traits,  the  same  heroism,  the  same 
virtues,  and  narrates  almost  the  same  legends.  It  re- 
counts in  every  part  of  the  globe  the  loves  of  the  gods ; 
the  exploits  of  heroes ;  the  vigilance  of  beatified  spirits 
over  mortals  ;  the  conflict  of  good  and  evil ;  the  duel  of 
Ormuzd  and  Ahriman.  In  Attica,  it  says  that,  the  di- 
vine Plato  was  the  offspring  of  a  beautiful  vision  ;  in 
England,  that  the  father  of  Merlin,  the  magician,  was  a 
melodious  voice,  sometimes  heard  in  the  atmosphere; 
and  in  Mexico,  that  Huitzilopotehli,  the  Aztec  God  of 
War,  was  indebted  for  his  existence  to  a  gorgeous  bunch 
of  feathers  that  floated  in  the  air.  It  tells,  by  the  flick- 
ering camp-fire  on  the  out-stretched  prairies,  that  Hia- 
watha was  descended  from  the  West  wind.  In  India, 
it  relates  that  Sitva,  one  of  the  Hindoo  trinity,  was  be- 
gotten by  a  ray  of  light,  and  was  born  of  the  virgin 
Maia.  In  Greece,  it  recites  that  Achilles,  plunged  into 
the  river  Styx,  became  impenetrable  to  weapons,  except 
in  the  heel ;  in  Germany,  Woden,  bathed  in  dragon's 
blood,  was  invulnerable,  save  on  the  spot  where  a  leaf 
had  accidentally  fallen ;  among  the  American  Indians, 
Kwasind,  renowned  for  strength,  was  reputed  mortal 
only  on  the  crown  of  his  head,  and  was  vulnerable  solely 
by  a  cone  of  the  pine ;  and  in  Scandinavia,  that  nothing 
but  a  twig  of  the  misletoe  could  have  slain  one  of  its 
deities.  Indra  among  the  Hindoos,  and  Thamar  among 
the  Teutons,  wear  beards  of  fire,  and  both  have  an  un- 
quenchable thirst  for  the  waters  of  Heaven. 

But  not  alone  is  the  identity  of  faculties  shown  by 
similarity  of  traditions.  The  dissimilar  forms  of  worship, 
and  variety  of  customs,  and  of  laws,  are  only  different 
moods  of  the  same  individual.  They  are  but  the  tempo- 


19 

rary  manifestations  of  endowments,  striving  for  perfect 
development  and  seeking  a  higher  destiny.  And  ever, 
side  by  side,  along  with  all  these  phases  of  thought  and 
human  passion,  moves  a  procession  of  ideas,  and  sym- 
pathies, and  aspirations,  not  embodied  in  the  state,  or 
faith,  or  achievements.  These  make  literature,  interpret 
that  portion  of  humanitv,  and  determine  its  value  to  the 
world.  This  general  resemblance  of  capabilities  indi- 
cates the  interdependence  of  all  literature,  and  the 
importance  of  its  extensive  cultivation  for  the  full 
comprehension  of  any  part  of  it.  For,  all  events  are 
connected  in  logical  order,  and  not  the  change  of  the 
slightest  circumstance  ;  not  the  utterance  of  an  opin- 
ion, or  the  suppression  of  a  theory  other  than  has  been 
spoken  or  silenced ;  not  the  birth  of  a  man  distinguished 
in  any  manner  whatever ;  or  his  death  earlier,  or  later, 
or  otherwise  than  it  occurred,  but  what  would  have 
altered  in  some  particular  the  condition  of  the  race.  A 
grain  of  sand,  says  Godwin,  the  profound  thinker,  less 
or  more  in  the  creation  of  the  earth,  would  have  changed 
the  entire  history  of  the  world.  And  Pascal  thought 
that  if  Cleopatra's  nose  had  been  a  little  shorter,  the 
fate  of  mankind  would  have  been  different.  This  inti- 
mate connection  of  all  occurrences  and  all  literature 
explains  the  influence  of  Ancient  on  Modern  times,  and 
the  authority  of  the  thinkers  of  the  past  over  the  opin- 
ions of  the  present.  It  is,  therefore,  of  the  greatest 
concernment,  "in  the  church  and  commonwealth,  to 
have  a  vigilant  eye  how  books  demean  themselves,  as 
well  as  men."  They  have  an  existence  of  their  owo, 
and  often  produce  effects  not  anticipated  by  their  au- 
thors, not  only  in  the  land,  and  at  the  time  of  their  pub- 
lication, but  in  foreign  countries,  and  in  remote  genera- 
tions. The  strange,  weird  mysticism  and  dreamy  philos- 
ophy of  India  repeat  themselves  in  Greece.  In  the  early 


20 

churches,  the  doctrines  of  Plato  blended  with  the  reli- 
gion of  Christ.  And  ages  afterwards  the  dogmas  of 
Aristotle,  disseminated  through  Europe  by  Avicenua, 
Averrhoes,  and  otber  Arabian  philosophers,  gave  rise  to 
many  perplexing,  "  vermiculate  questions,"  and  were  the 
prime  cause  of  the  Keforrnation  of  the  sixteenth  century. 
But  it  the  teachings  of  the  master  ot  Alexander  the 
Great  conduced  to  that  event,  to  the  writings  of  Nich- 
olas Machiavelli  must  be  imputed  many  ol  the  cruelties 
and  persecutions  consequent  to  it.  So  damnable  were 
considered  many  of  the  sentiments  promulgated  by  him, 
so  general  was  their  acceptance,  and  so  wide-spread  their 
practice,  that  the  English  called  the  Devil  "  Old  Nick,'' 
in  honor  of  his  name.  His  notorious  book,  entitled  the 
"Prince,"  mightily  influenced  the  life  of  Catharine  de 
Medicis,  andinstigated  the  massacre  of  St.  Bartholomew. 

A  single  work,  on  account  of  the  novelty  of  its  ideas; 
or  its  wisdom;  or  the  lucid  exposition  of  principles;  or 
its  accordance  with  the  enlightenment  of  the  period;  or 
its  embodiment  of  passion;  or  popular  prejudice,  has 
often  been  attended  with  extraordinary  consequences. 
The  publication  of  Don  Quixote,  it  is  believed,  over- 
threw the  institution  of  chivalry  in  Spain.  "Uncle 
Tom's  Cabin"  is  known  to  have  strengthened  the  party 
of  Abolitionists  in  the  United  States,  and  to  have  in- 
tensified the  sectional  antipathy  which  culminated  in 
war.  From  "Oceana,"  a  political  novel,  written  by 
Harrington,  we  derive  the  system  of  ballot  employed 
by  our  citizens  in  every  election.  Lessing's  Minna  Von 
Barnheim,  is  said  to  have  made  peace  between  Prussia 
and  Saxony,  at  the  end  of  the  Seven  Years'  War.  And 
Nathan,  the  Wise,  a  drama  by  the  same  author,  caused 
a  much  needed  reform,  and  beneficial  change  in  the  so- 
cial status  and  estimation  of  the  Jews  in  Germany. 


21 

Adam  Smith's  "Wealth  of  Nations"  has  materially 
moulded  the  policy  of  Europe.  Speaking  of  it,  Buckle 
has  said  its  publication  "contributed  more  towards  the 
happiness  of  man,  than  has  been  effected  by  the  united 
abilities  of  all  the  statesmen  and  legislators  of  whom 
history  has  preserved  an  authentic  account."  Dean 
Swift's  predictions  of  Isaac  Bickerstaff  quickened  the 
activity  of  a  secret  tribunal  in  Portugal,  and  established 
periodical  literature.  His  Drapier  letters  set  Ireland  on 
fire,  cancelled  the  patent  of  King  William,  inspired  or 
kept  breathing  the  spirit  which,  in  a  later  day,  the  elo- 
quence of  Grattan  evoked  to  national  life.  The  pre- 
tended confessions  of  Elliston  suppressed  street  rob- 
beries in  the  city  of  London  for  forty  years.  Another 
of  his  pamphlets  caused  the  erection  of  fifty  churches. 
The  introduction  of  the  speeches  and  essays  of  Burke, 
made  an  epoch  in  the  history  of  Germany.  The  nar- 
row, the  selfish,  the  mean  theory  of  human  nature 
taught  by  Hobbes,  is  responsible  for  the  gross  immorali- 
ties that  disgraced  the  profligate  court  and  reign  of 
Charles  the  Second.  The  philsophy  of  Locke,  adopted 
and  extended  by  the  Encyclopaedists,  occasioned  the 
French  Eevolution  of  1789. 

I  have  mentioned  only  a  few  authors,  the  consequences 
of  whose  works  are  plainly  visible ;  yet  how  many  un- 
known and  lost  productions  have  aided  the  advancement 
of  mankind  ?  How  many  volumes  have  been  composed, 
of  which  nothing  remains  except  some  homely  maxim, 
daily  repeated  by  men  who  never  suspect  its  origin? 
May  not  the  proverbs  uttered  so  glibly  by  laughing  child- 
hood and  thoughtful  age,  now  serving  as  a  warning  to 
the  young,  and  now,  as  a  consolation  to  the  old,  be  the 
remnant  of  a  forgotten  civilization  1  Or  the  literary 
fragments  of  some  splendid  genius  that  lived,  and 


22 

thought,  and  suffered,  long,  long  ago,  when  the  world 
was  new,  and  when  the  faculties  had  walked  so  recently 
in  the  train  of  God,  that  having  caught  the  brightness 
of  his  presence,  they  still  retained  its  rays  ? 

In  speaking  of  the  influence  of  letters  upon  character, 
songs  cannot  he  omitted.     They  are  the  literature  of 
the  feelings  and   sentiment.      'r  Indeed,"  says  Tyndall, 
"the  intellectual  action  of  a  complete  man  is  consciously 
or    unconsciously   sustained    by    an    undercurrent    of 
emotions."     If  this  be  true,  songs  are  of  great  import- 
ance.    They  often  express  noble  sentiments,  or  recall 
some  heart-stirring  tradition,  or  commemorate  all  that 
valor  has  dared  or  fortitude  endured.     Sometimes  they 
breathe  the  tenderness  of  mournful  memories,  and  some- 
times the  ferocity  of  hatred,  blind  as  enomious  night, 
and  reckless  as  fire.       Under   their  inspiration,  piety 
glows  more  ardently,  and  patriotism  often  renews  its 
drooping  energies.     It  was,  therefore,  not  unwise,  but 
cruel,  in  King  Edward  to  massacre  the  bards  of  Wales, 
in  order  that  he  might  conquer  that  unhappy  country. 
When  the  Messenians  had  nearly  subdued  the  Spartans, 
the  War  Elegy  of  Tyrtaeus  reanimated  their  courage 
and  aroused  them  to   efforts  which  saved  their  capital. 
A  song  of  Euripides  so  affected  the  Syracusans  that  they 
struck  the  chains  from  the  limbs  of  the  Athenians,  cap- 
tured by  them,  in  the  ill-advised  expedition  of  Alcibiades 
against  their  country.     Not  only  in  war,  but  in  civil 
revolutions ;  in  ecclesiastical  reformations ;  in  all  great 
movements  where  principle   and   sentiment  combine, 
songs  exert'an  absolute  sway  over  the  passions.  Hence, 
the  hymns  of  Hans  Sach,  the  German  shoemaker,  con- 
tributed as  much  to  the  triumph  of  the  Reformation  as 
the  Elector  of  Saxony.    The  "Ein  feste  Burg"  Luther's 
celebrated  psalm,  the  Marseillaise  of  the  Sixteenth  Cen- 


23 

tnry,  conduced  as  much  to  his  success  as  the  eloquence 
of  his  discourses,  whose  words  are  said  to  have  been  half 
battles.  The  silly  ballad  of  Lilli  Bulero,  the  verses 
of  which  were  everywhere  recited,  inflamed  the  discon- 
tent of  the  people,  that  terminated  in  the  English  Rev- 
olution of  1688.  The  Marseilles  Hymn,  the  recovered 
echo  of  Thermopylae,  interpreted  and  set  to  music  by  the 
gallant  young  officer,  Rouget  de  Lisle,  inspiring  enthu- 
siasm for  the  liberty  of  France,  incited  her  children  to 
exploits  of  heroism,  and  to  acts  of  self-sacrifice  not 
easily  paralleled  in  the  annals  of  time.  And  in  the 
Crimea,  on  one  of  the  bloodiest  fields  recorded  in  history, 
far  above  the  booming  of  cannon  and  clangor  of  arms  ; 
far  above  the  battle-cry  and  rushing  charge  of  cavalry  ; 
far  above  the  furious  shock  and  uproar  of  contending 
armies,  rang  out  loudly  and  clearly  the  words  of  Annie 
Laurie,  sung  by  thousands  and  thousands  of  stern  war- 
riors, ft  recalled  to  the  memory  of  each,  the  home  of 
his  childhood,  and  the  idols  of  bis  heart  in  the  far  dis- 
tant Island,  and  nerving  his  arm  to  a  bolder  stroke  for 
England  and  St.  George,  urged  to  a  fuller,  swifter 
flow  the  bloody  tide  of  battle.  Such  are  the  effects  of 
even  the  less  thoughtful  portions  of  literature  upon 
states,  religion,  passions  and  character. 

Inasmuch  as  Literature  has  such  influence  upon  mind; 
as  it  possesses  so  much  power  on  government,  teaching 
it  wise  policy  and  conserving  institutions  ;  as  it  stimu- 
lates industry  and  promotes  morality  and  public  virtue  ; 
as  it  is  a  noble  vocation  and  glorifies  a  state;  as  the  phil- 
osophies are  so  intimatety  connected  that  one  cannot  be 
understood  without  knowledge  of  all,  and  their  union 
causes  enlightenment  as  the  interwoven  beams  of  the  sun 
make  the  day;  and  as  songs,  the  bright-robed  and  jubilant 
children  of  fancy,  rule  the  heart,  it  behooves  all  good 


24 

citizens,  for  the  sake  of  the  community  in  -which  they 
live,  and  tor  the  glory  of  the  commonwealth,  to  encourage 
and  promote,  by  all  possible  means,  the  cultivation  and 
diffusion  of  letters. 

In  this  course  we  would  imitate  the  example  of  the 
wisest  people  of  the  world.  In  China,  whose  policy 
until  recently  has  been  as  immutable  as  the  laws  of 
Nature,  scholarship  is  the  road  which  leads  to  the  most 
honorable  posts  of  the  empire.  The  ablest  productions 
of  its  authors  in  poetry,  in  ethics  and  sciences,  its  people 
very  appropriately  call  "Kings."  The  writings  of  Laotse 
are  so  venerated  that  although  they  may  be  read  by  all 
Chinese,  a  sect  known  as  the  "  Honorers  of  Reason  " 
isolate  themselves  from  civil  affairs  and  make  the  study 
of  them  their  sole  occupation.  Among  the  Hindoos, 
whose  literature  is  again  exciting  much  interest,  the 
Vedas,  abounding  in  prayers  and  moral  precepts,  are 
held  too  sacred  to  be  read  by  any  but  the  B  rah  mine, 
and  the  perusal  of  them  by  another  caste  is  punished 
with  death.  The  successful  author  of  a  history,  a  tragedy 
or  a  panegyric,  recited  at  the  public  games  of  Greece 
was  crowned  with  laurel  or  ivy ;  and  upon  his  return, 
the  city  of  his  residence  poured  forth  its  population  to 
welcome  him  who  had  brought  to  it,  immortality.  So 
esteemed  are  philosphy  and  poetry  among  the  Arabs, 
that  nearly  all  of  the  early  Caliphs  are  as  renowned  for 
their  learning  and  oratory  as  for  their  strategy  and  skill 
in  public  affairs.  Their  seven  illustrious  poems,  believed 
to  be  inspired,  are  printed  in  letters  of  gold  and  suspended 
in  the  holy  Kaaba. 

The  prizes  that  Christendom  offers  to  scholarship  are, 
questionless,  as  numerous  and  as  brilliant  as  those  which 
induced  the  most  gifted  men  of  other  races  and  other 
systems  of  civilization,  to  engage  in  the  pursuit  of 


25 

learning.  Nor  can  it  be  denied  that  the  present  circum- 
stances are  as  propitious  to  such  labors  as  any  that  have 
existed.  The  triumph  of  the  principle  which  aggran- 
dizes the  power  of  society,  and  diminishes  that  of  the  in- 
dividual, has  not  since  the  Reformation  been  so  assured 
as  now.  It  is  perceptible  in  politics,  in  religion,  and  in 
science ;  and  creates  a  condition  most  favorable  to  the 
growth  and  gratification  of  literary  tastes  and  abilities. 

In  the  opportunities  that  environ  us,  I  behold  the 
means  by  which  Southern  authorship  can  reach  as  high 
a  position  as  that  attained  by  American  enterprise.  We 
have  no  distinctly  marked  literature.  With  few  excep- 
tions, American  authors  imitate  the  Europeans,  not  only 
in  style,  but  in  sentiment.  They  advocate  the  reform  of 
abuses  not  known  to  us,  and  satirize  vices  which  have 
not,  until  recently,  appeared  in  our  society.  They  ig- 
nore the  fact  that  productions  of  taste,  written  to  please 
the  subjects  of  monarchies,  aristocracies,  and  absolute 
despotisms,  however  exquisite  may  be  the  composition, 
can  elicit  no  hearty  sympathy  from  the  citizens  of  a  Be- 
public.  To  do  this,  the  ideas  expressed  in  fiction,  in  poetry, 
in  songs  and  eloquence,  must  resemble  closely  those  in- 
corporated in  their  political,  moral  and  religious  institu- 
tions, and  in  their  social  and  industrial  habits  and  em- 
ployments. In  order  that  books  should  exert  their  full 
power  upon  a  people,  they  should  appear  to  be  the  nat- 
ural products  of  the  country.  The  forest  should  cast 
its  shadows  upon  their  pages;  through  them  should 
glide  the  refreshing  influences  ot  its  streams ;  on  them 
should  spread  out  the  beauty  of  its  plains ;  and  upon 
them  should  rest  the  grandeur  and  gloom  of  its  high- 
lauds  and  mountains.  They  should  throb  with  its  pas- 
sions ;  they  should  shine  with  all  phases  of  character, 
as  the  diamond  sparkles  with  its  many  facets;  they 


should  be  phonographs  of  the  multitudinous  voices  of 
the  market-place ;  they  should  be  blackened  with  the 
smoke  of  its  battles,  and  be  stained  by  the  blood  of  ita 
people.  For,  notwithstanding  all  literature  is  linked 
together,  that  is  of  the  most  value  which  expresses  the 
peculiarities  of  its  birth-place  and  age.  Because  Field- 
ing portrayed  English  habits  and  character;  because 
Burns  sang  with  faultless  melody  the  traits  of  his  coun- 
trymen and  the  scenery  of  Scotland ;  because  our  own 
Cooper,  with  matchless  accuracy,  has  described  American 
landscape  and  Indian  qualities,  each  of  them  has  a  re- 
nown not  altogether  dependent  upon  his  genius.  Tht»  . 
idiosyncracies  of  our  people  may  not  have  appeared  in 
our  writers,  because  they  are  not  yet  sufficiently  defined. 
They  will  become  objective  when  they  ]>ermeate  every 
form  of  life.  Time  alone  can  effect  this  result. 

It  may  devolve  upon  some  of  you,  Young  (lentlemen, 
to  write  their  history ;  or  to  embody  them  in  fiction  or 
in  poetry  ;  or  to  discuss  them  in  a  philosophical  treatise, 
which  the  world  will  not  willingly  let  die.  For  such  a 
task,  no  preparation  can  be  superior  to  the  earnest  and 
exhaustive  study  of  literature.  Indeed,  1  can  commend 
no  wiser  course  for  your  adoption,  let  your  vocations  be 
what  they  may.  If  you  should  pursue  the  law  as  a 
profession,  it  will  conduce  to  your  brilliancy  as  advocates  ; 
if  you  should  practise  medicine,  it  will  increase  and  adorn 
your  success;  if  you  should  devote  yourselves  to  the 
ministry,  it  will  enlarge  your  power  to  teach  divine, 
truths ;  if  you  should  engage  in  agriculture,  or  trade,  or 
mechanical  employments,  you  will  derive,  from  it,  incal- 
culable benefit*. 

I  hope  that,  as  in  the  royal  navy,  with  every  cable, 
and  rope,  and  cord,  used  about  the  ship,  is  intertwined  a 
single,  tiny,  scarlet  thread,  which  proclaims  to  the.  world 


27 

that  the  vessel  belongs  to  the  Queen  of  England,  so 
through  all  your  lives  and  occupations  will  run  the 
scholarship  acquired  here,  and  love  of  letters,  that  show 
you  belong  to  the  intellectual  class,  which  forms  the 
opinions  and  makes  and  directs  the  destiny  of  a  country. 
This  will  be  the  reward  of  diligent  study ;  of  careful  train- 
ing of  the  faculties;  of  self-denial ;  of  scorning  delights, 
and  living  laborious  days. 

The  fate  of  the  youth  of  the  Swedish  legend  may 
teach  a  lesson  of  perseverance  and  discipline ;  of  labor 
and  patience.  Without  knowing  the  purpose  of  the  re- 
quirement, he  submitted  to  the  command  of  an  appa- 
rently inferior  being,  to  bring  for  the  period  of  one  year, 
day  by  day,  a  single  twig  from  the  garden,  to  bind  upon 
each  a  thread,  and  to  heap  them  together.  When  his 
task  was  completed,  the  twigs  burst  into  flame,  and 
from  it  issued  a  maiden  radiant  with  beauty,  and  the 
queen  of  a  powerful  kingdom.  So,  Young  Gentle- 
men, week  after  week,  month  following  month,  and  year 
succeeding  year,  you  may  gather  some  fact  from  nature ; 
or  learn  some  event  of  history  ;  or  acquire  some  princi- 
ple of  science ;  or  may  trace  a  truth  to  unknown  conse- 
quences ;  or  discover  a  force  or  law  that  has  been 
hitherto  concealed  ;  or  perceive  some  shade  of  thought, 
or  passion  not  before  recognized.  And  the  grand  result 
of  these  careful  labors  will  be  a  mind  crowned  with 
power,  owning  riches  greater  than  the  wealth  of  the 
Indian  hills,  or  the  treasures  of  the  sea,  and  ruling  over 
the  fairest,  loveliest,  noblest  realm  in  the  Universe — the 
realm  of  Literature.  Within  its  broad  domain  will  be 
found  the  germs  of  all  wisdom,  and  influence,  and  earthly 
glory,  but  not  a  single,  solitary  tabernacle,  tent  or  sign 
of  the.  Philistines. 


Univ  of  Calif.  Library.  lOS 


